Electrical control means for brakes



April 18, 1933. R E, ADAMS 1,903,801

ELECTRI C CONTROL MEANS FOR BRAKES Fil ed Feb. 25, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 6 INVENTOR 14 Koal BM 1115 ATTORNEYS April 18, 1933. E 1,903,801

ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS FOR BRAKES Filed Feb. 23, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR I E0 01 E.Adam6 avw g Z ATTORNEYS April 18, 1933. R ADAMS 1,903,801

ELECTRIC CONTROL MEANS FOR BRAKES Filed Feb. 25, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 a; 16 g N N g Q m N \i Iii; Q\\

n M r m F N g? INVENTOR ATTORNEYj Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROYAL E. ADAMS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO EDWIN PEDERSON, TRUSTEE, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR BRAKES Application filed February 23,1932. Serial No. 594,502.

This invention relates to improvements in electric control means for brakes. The invention, however, is applicable to various uses and would be particularly available for u in a hoist or in a jack.

The objects of the invention are:

First, to provide an improved electric actuating device especially adapted to the actuation of the brakes of an automobile which brakes may be of the usual'mechanical or hydraulic kind, or of any desired construction.

- Second, toprovide improved means for applying the brakes.

Third, to provide improved means for releasing the brakes.

Fourth, to provide improved control means for delivering current to the brake actuating means.

Fifth, to provide improved means for regulating the controls Sixth, .to provide improved meansv whereby the extent of the application of the brake is very readily controlled proportionately to 125 the movement of the control lever or means.

Seventh, to provide such a brake structure which will lock the brakes when the current is disconnected.

Furtherobjects and objects pertaining to .30 details and economies of construction and 4, showing details of the control mechanismin initial position for operation.

Figs. 3A and 3B are similar enlarged detail sectional views taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4, showin the details of the worm gear connection an the control with theswitch means in the position of applying the brakes,- and also the relation of the control lever and 59 the brake connection.

' against them by the coil spring 17 under the Fig. 4 is a detail transverse sectional elevationon the irregular line 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 5, showing details of construction.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional elevation on line 55 of Fig. 4 showing the relation of the 5 clutch plates.

Fig. 6 is a conventional wiring diagram.

The parts will be identified by their numerals of reference which are the same in all the views.

1 and 2 are the parts of the frame or casing which are connected together by screws or bolts 3 (see Fig. 4). 4 is the side rail of the frame to which the casing is attached by cap screws 5, 5. 6 is an electric motor 7 is themotor shaft supported in suitable bearings 8, 8 in the frame section 2, see Fig. 3A. 9 is a worm carried by the shaft 7. 10 is the Worm gear coacting with the said worm 9 and free to revolve upon its supporting shaft 7 .11. 12, 12 are ball bearings or other antifriction thrust'bearings in the frame parts 1, 2 supporting the shaft 11.

A disk clutch housing 13 is secured rigidly to'worm gear 10 by screws 101. The disk housing 13 is provided with inwardly projecting splines 131 and shaft 11 is provlded with splines lllwhere it extends wlthin the clutch housing (see Figs. 4 and 5). Clutch disks 14 are splined to engage the housing 13 and alternate with clutch disks 15 which are splined to engage the splines 111 on the shaft 11. 16 is a disk armature embracing the said-clutch disks and forced yieldingly anti friction collar 19 at the end of the shaft 11. The said spring 17 holds the said clutch disks yieldingly in engagement when the clutch is thrown in. One set of the disks (preferably disks 15) may be provided with the usual cork inserts to insure the best action.

20 is an electromagnetic coil, retained within the cap 21 which is secured to the casing member 2 by cap screws. 22 and disposed to pull disk armature 16 to release the clutch. Binding post 201 is rovided for the magnet connection 46 herea ter to be described.

23 is a pinion keyed to shaft 11 between the bearings 12, 12 and meshes with the driven in slot 301 and serves to rock the brake rock shaft 31, as seen in Fig. 3B, and thereby apply the brake. The brake is released by the usual spring, not shown.

33 is a slide in way 34 directly below and parallel with the way 29. 'The way 34 is provided with a longitudinal slot 341 in the bottom of which is disposed a reciprocating insulator bar 36 carried by the slide 33. 37 is a switch member provided with a downwardly projecting shank 38 carrying a binding post 39 to which is connected the conductor 40 from the storage battery 401, or other source of current. 41 is a switch contact member provided with a shank 411 and binding post 42 at its lower end connectin to conductor 43 leading to the motor binding post 61. At the opposite end is the switch contact 44 provided with shank 441 having a binding post 45 with a conductor 46 leading to the electromagnetic binding post 201.

The switch rocker 48 is pivoted at 49 on the member 37 and is provided with an arm 50 having a contact 501 to cooperate with the contact member 41 to control the current to the motor. An opposite arm 51 is provided with a contact 511 cooperating with the contact 44 to deliver current to the magnet.

Compression balancing springs 52, 52 are under the rocker. The rocker 48 is provided with a central depression 481. On the under side of the rack 28 is a depending arm 53 carrying an insulation roller 54 which extends into the depression 481 in the rocker member 48 and cooperates therewith to control the current by movement of the same, timed and actuated to control the power applied to the brake.

The slide 33 is controlled by connecting rod 331. This is actuated by brake pedal 55 plvotedat 56 to the frame and held yieldingl in initial position by spring 57 (see cut-out switch 58 is provided in the cirsuit 40 so that when the switch is applied, the operator by merely openingthis switch can lock the same in position and it 'will be impossible to operate the switch until the cutout switch is again closed.

The operation of my improved brake will be very readily understood from a consideration particularly of Figs. 3A and 3B. When pressure is applied to the brake pedal 55 it results in a pull on the actuating rod 331 which pulls the slide 33 to the left of that figure. This causes the brake rocker 48 to contact with the roller 54 and depresses the contact 501 down into engagement with the contact 41 which, through binding post 42 and conductor 43 delivers current to the motor 6. This sets the worm 9 in operation, driving the worm gear 10, which, through pinion 23, drives the gear 24, operatin shaft 25 with the pinion 27, causing the rac 28 to move toward the left of Fig. 3A. As soon as the travel of the slide 33 ceases, the roller 54 is carried by rack 28 to the central part of the notch 481, permitting the switch to open and the motor to stop. This applies the brake to the extent that the pedal is depressed. If the pressure is relieved on the pedal 55, the spring 57 causes the slide to return, the left hand side of the notch 481 comes into engagement with the roller 54, causing the contact 411 to close onto the contact 44, delivering current to the electromagnetic clutch and opens the clutch and allows the brake to return under the action of the brake spring to the initial position. The lever spring 57 causes the follow-up of the slide to accomplish this result. If it is desired to release the brake only partially, the pedal is allowed to move a corresponding amount.

It is thus seen that this brake is under complete control by the mere manipulation of the brake pedal. The brake is applied to the extent that the pedal is depressed and is relieved correspondingly by the control of the edal on the return of the brake. Thus, although the brake is an electric brake, it is as completely and fully under the control of the operating pedal as though the power were applied directly. This is the service brake. Of course, any car provided with thls brake would, under the laws of most states, be required to have an independent emergency brake, which can be of any form desired or required.

I desire to state that my improved brake mechanism is in the form especially approved by me and I desire to claim it specifically, as it has proven highly effective. I, however, desire to state that while I have shown a disk clutch, other styles of clutches might be used in connection with the worm gear. The switch mechanism might be reversed, the rocker part being carried by the rack and the slide being provided with a lug 53 with a roller 54 for actuating the same. It is not necessary to illustrate these parts in reversed relation as it is obvious that this can be done from a statement of the matter.

I have shown the entire structure in very compact, simple form, so that it can be readily applied, but the principle is available should the device be otherwise constructed. The motor mounted directly on the frame is much to be preferred, but it might be independently supported. I desire therefore also to claim the invention broadly, as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a housing, an electric motor having a worm shaft and worm gear mounted in the said housing, a reciprocating rack with actuating pinion within the housing in a suitable way having connections to operate the brake, a reducing train of gears from the said worm gear to said pinion to actuate the same, a spring pressed disk clutch between the said worm gear and the said train of gears, an electromagnet to throw said clutch out of gear, a slideway parallel with the said rack and beneath the same, the way for the said rack and the said slideway having longitudinally slots in their bottoms, a slide in the said slideway, a rocker switch on said slide having a contact at one end to supply current to the motor and at the other end to supply current to the electromagnet, and having a central notch over the pivot thereof, balancing spring means to hold the switch'in central neutral position, a downwardly projecting lug on the said rack having an insulated contact engaging the central notch of said rocker switch, a battery connected to the said switch to supply current to the motor or to the electromagnet, and-a control pedal having a return spring and having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the downwardly projecting lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake and on the reverse of said pedal reacts to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

2. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a housing, anelectric motor having a worm shaftand worm gear mounted in the said housing, a reciprocating rack with actuating pinion within the housing in a suitable way having connections to operate the brake, a reducing train of gears from the said worm gear to said pinion to actuate the same, a spring pressed disk clutch between the said worm gear and the said train of gears, an electromagnet to throw said clutch out of gear, a slideway parallel with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a rocker switch on said slide having a contact at one end to supply current to the motor and at theother end to supply current to the electromagnet, and having a central notch over the pivot thereof, a downwardly projecting lug on the said rack having an insulated contact engaging the central notch of said rocker switch, a battery connected to the said switch to supply current to the motor or to the electromagnet, and a control pedal having'a return spring and having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the downwardly projecting lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake and on the reverse of said pedal reacts to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

3. In an electric brake structure, the com bination of a housing, an electric motor having a worm shaft and worm gear mounted in the said housing, a reciprocating rack with actuating pinion within the housing in a suitable way having connections to operate the brake, a reducing train of gears from the said worm gear to said pinion to actuate the same, a spring pressed disk clutch between the said worm gear and the said train of gears, an electromagnet to throw said clutch out of gear, a slideway.

parallel with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a rocker switch on said slide having a contact at one end to supply current to the motor and at the other end to supply current to, the electromagnet, and having a central notch over the pivot thereof, a downwardly projecting lug on the said rack having an insulated contact engaging the central notch of said rocker switch, a. battery connected to the said switch to supply current. to the motor or 'to the electromagnet, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the downwardly projecting lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to ap ply the brake and on the reverse of said pedal reacts to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

4. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a housing, an electric motor having a worm shaft and worm gearJmounted in the said housing, a reciprocating rack with actuating pinion within the housing in a suitable way having connections to operate the brake, a reducing train of gears from the said worm gear to said pinion to actuate the same, a normally engaged clutch between the said worm' gear and the said train of gears, an electromagnet to throw said clutch out of gear, a slideway parallel with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a rocker switch on said slide having acontact at one end to suppl current to the motor and at the other en to supply current to the electromagnet, and having a central notch over the pivot thereof, a downwardly projecting lugon the said rack having an insulated contact engaging the central notch of said rocker switch, a battery connected to the said switch to supply current to the motor or to the electromagnet, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the downwardly projecting lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake and on the reverse of said pedal reacts to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch. 4

5. In an electric brake structure, the combination of ahousing, an electric motor having a worm shaft and worm gear mounted in the said housing, a reciprocating rack with actuating pinion within the housing in a suitable way having connections to operate the brake, a reducing train of gears from the said worm gear to said pinion to actuate the same, a normally engaged clutch between the said worm gear and the saidtrain of gears, an electromagnet to throw said clutch out of gear, a slideway parallel with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a rocker switch on said slide having a contact at one limit to supply current to the motor and at the other limit to supply current to the electromagnet, and having a central notch over the-pivot thereof, a downwardly projecting lug on the said rack having an insulated contact engaging the central notch of said rocker switch, a battery connected to the said switch, to supply current to the motor or to the electromagnet, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the downwardly projecting lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to -with actuating pinion within the housing in a suitable way having connections to operate the brake, a reducing train of gears from the said worm gear to said pinion to actuate the same, a spring pressed disk clutchbetween the said worm gear and the said train of gears, an electromagnet to throw said clutch out of gear, a switch to supply current to the motor or to the electromagnet.

7. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a rack and pinion structure, said rack being connected to operate the brake, an electric motor having gear connections to actuate the said pinion, a normally closed clutch in the gear connection from said motor to the said pinion, an electromagnet .for releasing said clutch, a slideway parallel 'with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a

rocker switch on said slide having a contact at one limit to supply current to the motor and at the other limit to supply current to the electromagnet, and having a central notch over the pivot thereof,,a downwardly projecting lug on the said rack having an insulated contact engaging the central notch of said rocker switch, a battery connected to the said switch to supply current to the motor or to the electromagnet, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the downwardly projecting lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake and on the reverse of said pedal reacts to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

8. In an electric brake structure, the com-- bination of a rack and pinion structure, said rack being connected to operate the brake, an electric motor having gear connections to actuate the said pinion, a normal] closed clutch in the gear connection from said motor to the said pinion, an electromagnet for releasing said clutch, a slideway parallel with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a switch on said slide having a contact to supply current to the motor, a projecting lug on the said rack engaging the said switch to actuate the same on the movement of said slide, a battery connected to the said switch to supply current to the motor, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide whereby on depression of said pedal the switch reacts on the projectin lug on said rack to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake to control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

9. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a rack and pinion structure, said rack being connected to operate the brake, an electric motor having gear connections to actuate the said pinion, a normally closed clutch in the gear connection from said motor to the said pinion, an electromagnet for releasing said clutch, a slideway parallel with the said rack, a slide in the said slideway, a switch on said slide having a contact to supply current to the electromagnet, a projecting lug on the said rack engaging the said switch to actuate the same on the movement of said slide, a battery connected to the said switch to supply current to the electromagnet, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on depression of said pedal the switch reacts on the projecting lug on the said rack to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake to control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

r 10. In an electric brake structure, the com;

bination of abrake actuating member, an electric motor having a suitable gear connected to actuate and the said member to apply the brake, a releasable clutch interposed in the said gear for releasing the brake, an

electromagnet connected to said clutch to release the same, a battery having a circuit connected to said motor and a circuit connected to said electromagnet, a double switch having contacts for closing the circuit to the said motor or the said magnet, a lug carried by a movable part of the said switch mechanism to cooperate with the said switch to close the circuit to the motor or to the magnet, the movement of said part in applying the brake or in releasing the brake serving to open the said switch to control the position of the brake.

11. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a brake actuating member, an electric motor ha ing a suitable gear connected to actuate the said member to apply the brake, a releasable clutch interposed in the said gear for releasing the brake,an electromagnet connected to said clutch to release the same, a battery having a circuit connected to said motor and a circuit connected to said electromagnet, a slide in a suitable slideway in proximity to a movable part of the said brake mechanism, an actuating lug on said movable part, a rocker switch on the said slide having a contact at one limit to supply current to the motor and at the other limit to supply current to the electromagnet and having a central notch over the pivot thereof cooperating with the said lug, and a control pedal having a spring returnand having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on the depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the said lug to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake and on the reverse of said 'pedal reacts to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

12. In an electric brake structure, the com bination of a brake actuating member, an electric motor having a suitable gear connected to actuate the said member to apply the brake, a releasable clutch interposed in the said gear for releasing the brake, an electromagnet connected to said clutch to release the same, a battery having a circuit conto said electromagnet, a slide 1n a sultable same according to the movement or position nected to said motor and a circuit connected comes to rest.

tuating the said slide, whereby on the depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the said lug to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake and on the reverse of said pedal reacts to close the circuit to said mag net to release the brake and control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

13. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a brake actuating member, an electric motor having a suitable gear connected to actuate the said member to apply the brake, a battery having a circuit connected to said motor, a slide in a suitable slideway in proximity to a movable part of the said brake mechanism, an actuating lug on said movable'part, a switch on thrsaid slide having a contact to supply current to the motor and having a part thereof cooperating with the said lug, a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on the depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the said lug to close the circuit to said motor to apply the brake to control the same according to the movement or position of said slide and switch.

14. In an electric brake structure, the combination of a brake actuating member, means to apply said brake, a releasable clutch interposed in the said gear for releasing the brake, an electromagnet connected to said clutch to release the same, a battery having a circuit connected to said electromagnet, a slide in a suitable slideway in proximity to a movable part of the said brake mechanism, an actuating lug on said movable part, a switch on the said slide having a contact to supply current to the electromagnet and having a part thereof cooperating with the said lug, and a control pedal having a connection for actuating the said slide, whereby on the depression of said pedal the notch reacts on the said lug to close the circuit to said magnet to release the brake to control the 1 10 of said slide and switch.

15. In a structure of the class described, a control comprising the combination of a reciprocating actuator element having a projecting lug thereon, a reciprocable slide arranged to operate parallel to said actuator, a rocking switch on the said slide notched to embrace said lug having independent contacts for delivering current to a motor or to a cut-out device being adapted on the actuation of the slide to close the circuit and automatically open the switch due to the action of the actuator on said switch when the slide 16. In a structure of the class described, a control comprising the combination of a reciprocating actuator element having a projecting lug thereon, a reciprocable slide arranged to operate paralle to said actuator, E319 a switch on the said slide adapted to cooperate with said lug to control said switch and automatically open the switch due to the action of the actuator on said switch when the slide comes to rest.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ROYAL E. ADAMS. 

